Your business
You’re self-employed on every plan. Set your hours and prices, and bring your own pupils. You stay in charge of the business you build.
Join our team
Your business. Our backing.
Already an instructor? Compare Independent, Partner and Complete, and choose the support that suits your self-employed business.
Multi-award-winning driving schoolIMTD Awards 2026 winner · Recognised by Intelligent Instructor
On every franchise package
Three things you always get.
Already qualified? Build a business that’s yours, with people behind you.
Our support
The DiaryIt app, automated reminders and a team established since 2004. Choose the level of backing that works for you.
Your development
Save on online CPD through IDEA on every package. Partner and Complete also include discounts on the SQA-accredited Level 8 qualification.
Why instructors choose us
More room to build your business.
Notice, from day one
No long contract to tie you in. If it’s not right for you, leave with four weeks’ notice.
Franchise-free to start
Your first four weeks are franchise-free on every package, wherever you trained. No joining fee.
A week to get started
An affordable way to join an established network while keeping your own name and pupils.
Off the Level 8 qualification
Keep developing through IDEA. Partner gets 25% off the SQA-accredited qualification; Complete gets 50%.
Our packages
Choose your level of backing.
Every package is your business. Each step adds more support, more development and a different way to build your diary.
Not sure? Find your fitStep 01
Independent
£24.99a week
Your business, under your own name, with an established network behind you.
- Your first 4 weeks franchise-free
- DiaryIt app with automated SMS reminders
- You find and keep your own pupils
- Your own brand on your headerboard
- 25% off online CPD through IDEA
- Limited business support when you need it
- Just 4 weeks’ notice if you want to leave
Step 02
Partner
£39.99a week
Your business, under the SmartLearner name, with pupil introductions when you need them.
- Your first 4 weeks franchise-free
- DiaryIt app with automated SMS reminders
- Optional pupil introductions at £30 each
- SmartLearner headerboard
- SmartLearner uniform and learner resources
- 50% off online CPD through IDEA
- 25% off the SQA-accredited Level 8 qualification
- Enhanced business support
- Just 4 weeks’ notice if you want to leave
Step 03Most support
Complete
£89.99a week
£79.99 a week after 12 months
Your business, with SmartLearner pupils and our full support behind you.
- Your first 4 weeks franchise-free
- DiaryIt app with automated SMS reminders
- Diary support aiming for up to approximately 35 teaching hours a week
- Pupil introductions included, with no per-pupil charge
- SmartLearner headerboard or full vehicle livery — your choice
- SmartLearner uniform and learner resources
- Free online CPD through IDEA
- 50% off the SQA-accredited Level 8 qualification
- Full business support
- Short-term breakdown vehicle support
- £79.99 a week after 12 months
- Just 4 weeks’ notice if you want to leave
Complete’s diary support is not a guarantee of hours or earnings. Pupil numbers depend on lesson length, learner availability and your existing diary. Confirm current written terms and availability with us before joining.
Not sure which?
Find your fit in three taps
Your starting point
Answer the three questions
Tell us how you want to work and we’ll suggest a package to explore. You can change any answer.
Side by side
What’s included.
Scroll the comparison sideways on smaller screens to see every package.
| Feature | Independent£24.99 / week | Partner£39.99 / week | Complete£89.99 / week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly franchise fee | £24.99 | £39.99 | £89.99; £79.99 after 12 months |
| Joining fee | None | None | None |
| Joining offer | First 4 weeks franchise-free | First 4 weeks franchise-free | First 4 weeks franchise-free |
| Notice to leave | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Branding | Your own headerboard | SmartLearner headerboard | SmartLearner headerboard or full livery |
| DiaryIt with automated SMS reminders | Included | Included | Included |
| Online CPD through IDEA | 25% off | 50% off | Free |
| SQA-accredited Level 8 qualification | Not included | 25% off | 50% off |
| Business support | Limited | Enhanced | Full |
| Uniform and learner resources | Not included | Included | Included |
| Pupil introductions | You supply your own | Optional, £30 per pupil | Included, no per-pupil charge |
| Short-term breakdown vehicle support | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Optional vehicle lease | Additional £100 a week | Additional £100 a week | Additional £100 a week |
| Lease maintenance and breakdown cover | Included with lease | Included with lease | Included with lease |
| Lease insurance | You arrange your own | You arrange your own | You arrange your own |
| Bring your own pupils | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DiaryIt · on every packageLess admin.
Less admin.
More teaching.
Bookings, reminders and pupil records in one place. Spend your time in the car, with an online diary that supports the way you work.
- Online diary on every plan
- Automated SMS reminders
- Support that grows with your package
Room to teach.Diary illustration
Start with a planSet your teaching hours
Focus on your pupilsKeep your records together
Space for your lifeYour business. Your diary.
A little less chasing. More time in the car.
Run by IDEA
See upcoming workshops (opens in a new tab)Keep learning together.
See upcoming CPD workshops and book your place with our training company.
Our instructors
In their words.
Different journeys. Their own businesses. A team behind them.
I joined SmartLearner more than ten years ago and I’ve never looked back. It’s always been my business, but I’ve had people behind me every step of the way. Now I get to help train new instructors, which I love.
I wanted to be my own boss without being on my own. With SmartLearner I run my own business, DiaryIt takes care of the admin, and there’s always someone I can call if I need help.
Twenty years on and I still have the flexibility to work the way I want. I don’t lie awake worrying about my diary drying up, because I know the support is there.
Questions
Before you join.
Am I employed by SmartLearner?
No. Every franchise instructor is self-employed and runs their own driving tuition business. You set your hours and prices, and remain responsible for delivering lessons and supporting your pupils’ development.
How do pupil introductions work?
On Independent, you supply your own pupils. Partner offers optional introductions at £30 per pupil. Complete includes introductions with no per-pupil charge, with diary support aiming for up to approximately 35 teaching hours per week. This is not a guarantee of hours or earnings; pupil numbers depend on lesson length, learner availability and your existing diary.
Can I bring my own pupils?
Yes, on all three packages. Your business is yours, whichever level of support you choose.
What are the joining and notice terms?
There is no joining fee, and your first four weeks are franchise-free on every package, wherever you trained. You can leave with four weeks’ notice from day one. Complete is £89.99 per week, reducing to £79.99 per week after 12 months. Confirm the current written terms and availability with the team before joining.
What vehicle support is available?
Complete includes short-term replacement vehicle support following a breakdown. Separately, you can add a long-term tuition car lease to any package for £100 per week on top of the franchise fee. Lease maintenance and breakdown cover are included; insurance is not, so you arrange your own. Ask the team about availability and applicable terms.
Can I change packages later?
Yes. Speak to the team first and we’ll discuss moving up or down as your business changes, confirming the applicable terms before a change is agreed.
Who can enquire?
Newly qualified instructors, instructors moving from another franchise and instructors already running their own business are welcome to enquire. If you are not qualified yet, our instructor training company, IDEA, can help you explore training.
Talk to us
Tell us your area and your hours
Fill in a few details and we’ll call you back within one working day. No pressure, just a chat about what would work for you.